HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 302, 15 September 1908, Page 9

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tlio regular fortnightly meeting of tho Petone Borough Council was hclil last evening, when there wero present his Worship tho Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'liwan), and Councillors Colqulioun, Castle, Southgate, Loddcr, Cole, Short, Young, Smith, and Dr. Harding. A telegram was received from Sir Joseph Ward, stilting that it was desired that the first anniversary of Dominion Day should bo fittingly celebrated on Saturday, September 26. His Worship moved that shopkeepers bo asked to decorate their shops, and that tho council help to keep the day as requested. Tho motion was carried. A letter was received from tho Town Cleric's office, Wellington, asking the Petouo Council if they approved of the alteration of tho Hutt Park Act to allow Wellington to be represented on tlio management of tho Hutt Park Committee, as'suggested by the sports deputation. Councillor Loddcr proposed, and Councillor Cole seconded, that tho letter be referred to tho Hutt Park Committee, and that they bo asked to favourably consider the same aud seo what can bo done in tho matter. The motion was carried. . Messrs. Kirk and Wilson, solicitors, wrote enclosing a letter from tho Gear Company, putting in writing what was said on August 14, with regard to obtaining a permit to establish manuro and other works at the company's premises, and stating that tho company does not give up any rights it now possesses for carrying 011 all, or part of samo, at tho present works in tho Hutt County. If tho Council does not agree the company will oppose being brought into Pctone Borough. . The matter is to bo considered by the council in committee. The Hutt River Board wrote in referenco to each council being represented on tho deputation to tho Premier, in reference to tho' Hutt Park railway being taken over by. the Government, and also suggesting that tlio Government bo urged to _ complete tho railway to Gear Island. His Worship moved that this council assist in bringing tho matter boforo tho Premier. Councillor Young seconded, and the motion was carried. The council decided to grajit £15 towards erecting an iron fence at the Technical School, and to instruct tho engineer to havo a. lamp placed at the entrance to tho school. Several applications for the Recreation Ground for next season for football were held over till tho next meeting. Tho MaJ-or explained that the council would be called on to pay a much larger amount for the Recreation Ground this year, and they must make tlio best arrangements for increasing their revenue from tho ground. Mr. T. H. 801 l wrote applying for a secondhand dealer's license. The application was granted, subject to the polico report being favourable. _ /■ A deputation waited on the, council in reference to holding a lire brigade competition on the Recreation Ground on Labour Day. Captain Lepper (Fire Board), Captain L. • Parrant (Gear Company), and Captain Home (Workshop Fire Brigade) each spoke asking permission, and pointing out tho value of a united competition. Tlio request was granted. Tho engineer's report read as follows: — Metalling has been completed on tho Hutt Road, Esplanade, West Jackson riTfi Cuba Streets, .White's Line, andTJdy Street. The stono from the quarry on Mr. Price's land was good, and equal t6 that obtainable from tho Korokoro Quay. The estimated cost of making p road to tho quarry was £100, and of opening tho quarry ;'£3o. If arrangements could be made to hire the stone-breaker, tho stono could be broken for 3s. lid. per yard, as against ss. 3d. by hand." Tho lamplighter at,Korokoro reported that damago was being dono to lamps through stonctlirowing; and tho polico had been asked to keep a sharp look out for offenders. Tho main drain has boon extended 80ft. in Adelaide Street. Five drainage connections wero mado in the month, making- a total for tho current year of 18. Tho ground around tlio trees in tho Recreation Ground had been cleared and a largo amount of weeding done, and-a: lot- of trees transplanted.' During tho month two cases' had arisen where it is proposed to bring in buildings from outside the borough. l tin both cases tho onginecr desired a ruling as to tlio moaning of tho bylaw, as to the foes, chargeable. Tho council decided that it could not alter tho engineer's charges. In his report, tlio engineer also stated:— "Owing to tlio slip-shod manner in which some builders submit plans for approval, I wjsli it to bo known from now that 110 permit will bo granted unless proper plans aiid specifications giving proper details are submitted. This is mentioned because somo cry out about harshness." Accounts amounting to £758 18s. lid. wero passed -for payment. LOWER HUTT BOROUGH COUNCIL. The usual fortnightly meeting of tho Hutt Borough Council.was held last night. The Mayor (Mr. T. A. Peterkin) was in tho chair, and Councillors Russell, Ward, O'Sullivan, Hodgins, Wildsmith, Baldwin, aud Ross wero also present. Tho Town Clerk (Mr. P. R. ,' Purser) brought before tho council tho report which appeared in the " New Zealand Times" 011 Saturday morning last. Ho then proceeded to read the report. He considered that tho reporter had misreported tho Ho considered it was not fair that this paper- should endeavour to set his council against him. Ho had served under successive councils for a number of years. He could only call it an attempt to manufacture " copy" at his and the council's expense. _ Councillor Ward also complained of the biased reports published by the journal mentioned. Ho quoted an instance which, he said, had occurrcd at a meeting at Pet--0110 regarding the bridge question, in which his remarks wero entirely cyt out. Councillor Baldwin also spoke criticising tho reports which had appeared in the paper in question at various times. . Councillor Ross did not consider that tho matter was sufficiently serious to warrant any action. He thought it fair criticism. The representative of the journal referred to, by tho Mayor's permission, handed in a cutting from another containing a report of tlio sa'mo meeting. Ho considered tho two reports tallied. Mr. Purser: "That is a very fair report." Councillor Hodgins corroborated the statement that the Town Clerk was ready to give the information asked for on the occasion referred to. Tho matter then dropped. Correspondence was read from the Primo Minister with reference to tho celebration of tho first anniversary of Dominion Day. It was dccided to ask all citizens to hoist flags on that day. Tlio Government Insurance Department wrote advising that the amount requires per annum to provide sinking fund for tho further loan of £4500 is £26. Mr. Exton wrote agreeing to rent land in Racecourso Road. The Hutt Brass Band was granted permission to use the Recreation Ground on Sunday, September 30. The Petone Borough Council intimated that a cheque for £16 17s. 3d. Will be forwarded in a day or two, in payment of that council's share of Mr. Meason's account for preparing plans re the tramway district. Tho Department of Lands wroto regarding the Pitt Settlement, inquiring whether tho council would bo prepared with their staff to do tlio streeting of tho above settlement, including sanitary drains and house connections to the boundaries of sections. Councillor Ward did not think that tho council should undertake work of this do r scription. The Borough Engineer (Mr. llix Trott) did not consider tho time opportuno for work of this nature as the borough draiijago work was coming 011. _ , Tlie Department is to be notified that the council cannot undertako tho work. Tho Wellington Meat Export Company wroto regarding the driving of cattle through the borough, and suggested that in order that tho stock might get through tho river at White's during daylight tho hours for driving bo altered. After discussion the question was referred to the By-Laws Committee. Tho Hutt River Board wroto giving a copy of a resolution passed at tho last meeting of tho board inviting the council to join with the Pctono Borough Council and Hutt County Council to wait as a deputation 011 tho Minister for Railways to endeavour tp

get tho Government to acquiro the Hutt Park railway. Tho Mayor and Councillors Russell aud Ward were appointed to represent the council in this matter. Mr. R. Virtue wrote with referenco to the notice to remove barbed wire from his fence, whilst a number of other owners had not been interfered with. The town clerk reported that notices had been sent to all offenders, but a number had ignored tlio intimation. Councillor Russell moved that the town clerk bo instructed to proceed against all who had received notice to remove barbed wire and had neglected to do so. Councillor AYard seconded, and tlio motion was carried. Accounts amounting to £1484 lis. lid. wore passed for payment. ' No. 1 Committee reported as follows: — (a) Wellington Rugby Union ro Recreation Ground and Petone Council's Letter—Councillors Hodgins and Ross have been deputed to meet two delegates from the Rugby Union to discuss the matter, and the committee will report further hereon to a futuro meeting. (b) Mr. Yeats's application for a cricket pitch, Recreation Ground —This application has been granted, and it has been left in the hands of tho caretaker to arrango the pitches. (c and d) —AVaiwetu Cricket Club ro top-dressing, etc.'—That the AVaiwetu Cricket Club be informed that every care will bo taken that 110 damago is done to tho pitches in future, but tho caretaker cannot be expected to stop on tho ground all night. (h) Hutt Cricket Club, application for cricket pitch, Recreation Ground—That this application be granted on tho usual terms, (i) Firo Brigade, uso of Recreation Ground—That the brigade bo given permission to train 011 tho ground, provided they do not use tho water or take the manual engine tliero. The report was adopted. No. 2 Committee made tho following recommendations : —(a) Mr. Sisson's application for water, Hoathfield Estate —That water mains bo laid along White's Line to servo the premises of Mr. Sisson and adjoining owners as soon as there are four applicants, (b) Gas, Old Military Road —That these applicants be informed that tho council cannot see their way to lay a gas main along the road in question unless at least four owners undertako to become consumers there, (c) Gas, Downer Street, Messrs. Strand Bros.'s application 011 behalf of Mr. Foote —That the application bo not entertained at present, (d) Firo Brigado ro station at Blackbridge— That tho question of Messrs. Strand Bros.' offer to erect a building for tho accommodation of fire plant at Blackbridge has' been allowed to stand over, (e) Messrs. Strand Bros.' application to register gas through 0110 meter at the combined rate— I That Messrs. Strand Bros, be informed that when the council introduced the . system of charging at a combined rate, it was dono as an experiment, and that it will bo necessary shortly to review the position, therefore their, application must be allowed t-o stand over, (f) Mr. Brice's application for gas, Huia Street— That this application be not entertained at present. Tho report was adopted. PETONE FIRE BOARD. A meeting of tho Petone Firo Board was held in the Mayor's room yesterday after-, noon, when there wero present:—Messrs. Simpson, Mallard, Castlo, Southgato, and tho secretary (Mr.- AA 7 obster). Mr. Castle moved that a letter bo written asking for tenders t-o bo sent in beforo next meeting for fire alarm boxes from tlioso who had intimated their intention of tendering. The motion was carried. Councillor. Southgate proposed that tho building and plant bo insured for £800. Councillor Castlo sccondcd, and tho motion was carried. , It was decided that seven brass helmets bo procured, also chemicals and appliances. Sir. Simpson proposed, and it was resolved, that the sum of £1 per annum bo allowed the men for boots. Mr. Southgate proposed that there be 18 men and two officers, also that the superintendent liavo power to take on two probationers. Mr. Castlo seconded, and the motion was carried.